Tennessee residents preparing for REAL ID applications at a Driver Services Center.
Tennessee residents are urged to get their REAL ID before the federal travel requirement takes effect on May 7, 2025. With 19 Driver Services Centers opening statewide and over 1,400 appointment slots available daily, obtaining a REAL ID has never been easier. Essential documents needed for application include proof of citizenship, Social Security Number, and residency. Regular IDs will still be accepted for non-federal activities. Don’t miss the deadline—mark your calendars and visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security for more details.
Hey there, folks of Tennessee! If you haven’t yet heard, there’s a big change coming our way, and it’s all about traveling. The federal REAL ID travel requirement is set to kick off on May 7, 2025. Time flies, doesn’t it? But don’t worry, the state has a plan to help you get ready!
So, what’s a REAL ID, you ask? For everyone aged 18 and over, a REAL ID will be your ticket to board commercial flights and access important places like federal buildings, military bases, and even nuclear power plants. In other words, if travel plans are in your future, getting your REAL ID should be on your to-do list!
Here’s a fun fact: Over 2.7 million Tennesseans have already gotten their REAL ID-compliant credentials. That’s a lot of prepared travelers! However, there’s still a significant number of folks—nearly 1.2 million individuals—who haven’t made the move yet. Plus, about 1.9 million Tennesseans have decided to hang on to their regular identification. It’s high time to make a decision, folks!
The good news? The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) is stepping up to help everyone get on board with this. They are opening 19 Driver Services Centers across the state this Saturday! This initiative is aimed at making it easier for you to prepare for the upcoming changes.
To sweeten the deal, an impressive number of 1,432 additional REAL ID-specific appointment slots will be available each day at Driver Services Centers all over Tennessee. That’s a lot of extra chances to get things sorted!
If you’re ready to apply for the REAL ID, here’s the scoop on what you’ll need to bring: proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, your Social Security Number, and two proofs of Tennessee residency. Simple, right? Just a little bit of paperwork and you’re golden.
And for those of you who have had a name change, don’t forget to bring along certified legal documents to prove it. It’s all about making sure everything matches up!
The standard fee for obtaining a REAL ID is $28, but be aware that you might have to pay extra fees of $8 or $12 if you apply outside your renewal period. Yikes, but totally worth it for the convenience!
Now, if you are one of those who doesn’t feel the need for a REAL ID, no worries! Standard Tennessee driver licenses and IDs will continue to be accepted for regular stuff like driving, purchasing alcohol, and even voting. If you’re not getting a REAL ID but still have travel plans, valid passports or other federally issued photo IDs will do the trick for domestic flights.
Remember, Saturday appointments at Driver Services Centers will continue right up to the REAL ID deadline on May 7, 2025. Participating centers are located in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Nashville, Bartlett, Jackson, Memphis, Oakland, Savannah, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Knoxville, Morristown, and Oak Ridge. Lots of options!
Current Tennessee driver license or ID holders can easily make their appointments for the REAL ID; however, if you don’t have a license, plan to visit a center from Monday to Friday.
For all the details you need or to schedule that all-important appointment, head over to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website or check out tnrealid.gov. Don’t get caught off guard when your travel plans roll around—let’s get those REAL IDs sorted!
Happy traveling, Tennessee!
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